You're not as thin as your pant size suggests, survey says
For, say, anyone who’s ever dieted, it’s a defining lifestyle moment the first time you return to the mall.
Following the gruelling exercise of shedding some pounds, here is your time for reward. Forty-two inch waist? No more. Let’s grab a couple pairs of 38's and hit the dressing room.
Yet as that first pair of 38-inch jeans button without a fight, maybe your confidence starts to grow a little. Hell, could I fit into a 36 now? Am I that thin?
Perhaps. Though as a new eye-opening study has shown, no, you’re probably not.
Esquire.com has just posted this bizarre-yet-understandable feature on the pant sizes of various major brands, and the results may be tough to stomach for all of our egos.
According to the site, which sent a reporter out to measure the actual waist sizes of pants sold at popular stores, you might not be nearly as svelte as you think.
By Esquire’s numbers, brands like H&M, Calvin Klein and Gap have been fooling their customers all along – their advertised waist sizes being much, much smaller than they really measure.
Abram Sauer, who writes Esquire’s Style Blog, found that H&M (whose 36-inch men’s pant was indeed 37-inches), CK (36-inches = 38.5-inches) and Gap (36-inches = 39-inches) were actually the studied chains that committed the least-egregious size manipulation of all.
The worst perpetrators? Dockers, whose 36-inch pant really measures 39.5-inches, and Old Navy. According to Sauer, Old Navy is so disillusioned that its 36-inch men’s pant boasts a 41-inch waist in real life. In related news, Old Navy announced today that Lady Gaga’s meat dress at the MTV Video Awards last night wasn’t all that ridiculous.
Apparently, style experts call this mis-advertising “vanity sizing.” And, I suppose, it makes sense. If Joe Tubolard can fit into a 44 at Store X but nothing below a 48 at Stores Y and Z, why wouldn’t he keep buying from Store X? They take his money, he takes their “Who is that, John Stamos?!” in-effect-compliment in stride. Lather, rinse, repeat.
Smart marketing, then, or are these not-so-white lies told by stores harmfully deceptive?
By Jason Buckland, MSN Money
Posted by: Steve | Sep 13, 2021 7:52:00 PM
Where exactly does flattery stop and misrepresentation / False advertising begin? Perhaps men’s waist bands should come colour coded; green below 34", yellow between 34" & 38" and Red anything above 38" (actual measurements). That would even work for fitness guys, because if you're so 'juiced' that you're above 38" of solid muscle, in time you'll likely need Aaaarnold's heart surgeon to replace your heart valves too". To avoid a war I won't write what I think should be women's ranges should be.
Posted by: alicia | Sep 14, 2021 10:07:54 AM
I find this all the time. On average, I wear a size 4, (no rolling eyes please)...90% of all stores I shop at I know I can look for a size 4 and they will generally fit. The 2 major exceptions are Marks Work Warehouse....there 4's are way oversized. I wear a size 2, 100% of the time at that store. On the other end of the spectrum, if I go to Wal-Mart.....I can only fit a size 7 to 9!...I couldn't get a size 4 up my leg much less on.
My advice....never get clothes without first trying them on..especially pants....posted sizes are not always what they seem.
Posted by: Jane | Sep 14, 2021 11:25:38 AM
I am, quite frankly, fed up with dishonesty in any form from merchandisers...and I agree with Alicia: some stores REALLY abuse us in order to get us to buy there. My solution is, know your own size (measure yourself) and only shop at those stores that are truthful. We should be rewarding honesty, not encouraging dishonesty.
This same method goes for false/misleading advertising as well. I DO NOT buy products that were advertised in any way inaccurately, or make claims about their effectiveness that are blatently untrue, or are even just sneakily misleading. There are plenty of alternative products and businesses out there to choose from. Unfortunately, some people allow themselves to be led by the nose, or are simply too lazy or stupid to THINK for themselves.....so both manufacturers and retailers take advantage of these folks in order to convince them to buy their products.
For example...how's about that commercial out there in TV land where you no longer have to touch that 'germy' hand-soap pump in order to get the soap out.....it dispenses it automatically into your palm...seriously.....I mean SERIOUSLY...just how gullible do they think we are anyway? Any idiot can see that as soon as the soap's in hand, with or without a "touchless" pump, THE HANDS WILL BE WASHED!
And that's a fitting end to my comment. Make an effort to "wash your hands" of all the liars and cheats in this world. It may become a better place for your efforts.
Posted by: Karen | Sep 14, 2021 3:00:34 PM
Who cares what the size says these days. If what I try on, at whatever store looks good, and the price is right, then I could care less if the size says 4 or 12. If my freinds are busy looking at the size of my clothing then I need new freinds. If what the size tag says on my clothing bothers me that much, then I am spending the money I would have spent on clothing, and giving it to a shrink to help me sort out much deeper self esteem issues. Laffffff. Never look at a size tag. Look in the mirror. Do you like what you see? ?Are you comfortable with the way you look? If yes, proceed to the checkout, if not, proceed to your nearest weightloss clinic and quit bitching about the way companies market thier apparel.
Different companies make things different to fit different body styles and types. WE are all different that way. One pair of jeans might look great on your girlfeind, but you may have to go up a size because you are builit differnt for that style of jean that has been manufactured.
Posted by: Cindy | Sep 14, 2021 3:45:47 PM
Awwwww poor guys! All this time you had it soooo easy to shop, no you will have to shop like woman have had to for many years. Strange how it has no become news when it affects "men" in the masses. Welcome to your part of equality.
Posted by: Logan | Sep 14, 2021 4:13:15 PM
Cindy your comment was completely unnecessary. I've been an awkward size for clothes shopping since I was born and have always had hassle at trying to find clothes that fit how I like them to. Seriously, I'm only 16, and I can tell that comment was immature.
Posted by: Logan | Sep 14, 2021 4:16:33 PM
Oh also, somewhere between Jane and Karen's opinions is where I would say is right.
Posted by: Mary | Sep 14, 2021 8:21:56 PM
I see um, I like um, I try on, feel good, I buy um!!
Posted by: Dr. Feelgood | Sep 14, 2021 10:19:42 PM
I've told the clerks to mark them properly or they won't get sold.
I'd never even think to try on those smaller sizes.
Posted by: sizematters | Sep 14, 2021 11:33:59 PM
It is incredibly annoying. When numbers represent a measurement, they need to be consistent. I don't care if they call me a size 32 or a 97, as long as it's the same number in all stores. It would be incredibly annoying to walk around, pick up four jeans from different designers and realize that two are too big and two are too small.
I don't think people would buy more from a store that calls them a size 30 rather than from another store that calls them size 34. I would stick with whatever fits the best. It's sad that companies are relying on changing the meaning of a measurement to improve sales rather than trying to make their products better.
Call me size 34, size 30, size fat or whatever... but PLEASE, just make sure the sizes are consistent with everyone else.
Posted by: bob neil | Sep 14, 2021 11:37:36 PM
For dudes, the size of brand and or cut is relative. if you buy a loose cut, you probably want a smaller size, so 2" less. tighter cut, snug 'rock star' cuts you usually go bigger. guys dont measure the waist, they use belts. If u are in shape, a bit muscular, u will never fit an appropriate waist, you will always go bigger. I think brands varying sizing is MORE accurate- a 36 loose = 36 thin fit more similarly than the actual waist measurement. stupid studym maybe relevant for women, but aimed at guys??? i surprised i read and wrote, myself
Posted by: Doris | Sep 15, 2021 10:56:40 AM
I have been saying that for years. I am 46 years of age 5' 4" tall and am 120lb. My weight has been the same for twenty years but I have gone from a size 6 to a zero or less.
Posted by: doug rowe | Sep 15, 2021 6:59:54 PM
What the hell is a 'PANT' anyway???? Does that mean it comes with only one leg?????